Beauty Brainstorm Blog

Archive for the ‘Healthy Looking Skin’ Category

Just like the Myth Busters, as we continue our Summer myth busting; here are three more that need to be vetted out;

Myth:  If I wear a sunscreen it will prevent me from getting my necessary Vitamin D from the sun. 

Truth: According to US News and World Report , Vitamin D is very important in preventing many diseases, including heart disease.  They quoted research published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, that stated those with a lower levels of Vitamin D have double the risk of dying from heart disease.  So does sunscreen actually prevent the production of Vitamin D in the sun?  Yes!  According to the NY Times , a study showed that the use of Sunscreen, actually blocked the suns UV rays and interfered with the production of Vitamin D.  So does that mean Sunscreens are bad?  No!  The study went on to say that while it does hamper ultraviolet rays production, it is not enough to cause a deficiency.  So use a quality sunscreen  but control your time in the sun and stay protected.

Myth:  I used to bake in the sun, the damage is already done. 

Truth: There used to be a notion that UV Exposure damaged occurred before age 18, but according to the Skin Care Foundation, 47% of UV exposure occurs between ages 19-40.  So not only can you help stop the damage by the sun, by using sunscreen NOW, you may be able to lessen the effects of past sun by doing so. 

Myth:  My hair protects my head from the sun and skin cancer. 

Truth:  While clearly having hair vs. no hair does provide some additional barriers to the sun, they offer a less than fool proof shield.  Additionally if you have a part in your hair, the exposed skin is just as susceptible as any other exposed skin on your body.  There are some SPF hair sprays , none are as protective as a good hat.  The hat should be tightly woven with a brim that’s at least 3 inches wide

Have fun the remainder of the summer and remember to protect your skin!

Where is the best place to be during the summer?  Outside!  But we all know the risks of being outdoors during summertime.  Dehydration, sunburn, mosquitoes, and summer laziness can set in.  Fitnessmagazine.com, tackled some of the summer myths which are worth repeating here. 

Myth:  Self Tanners helps shield my skin from the sun.

Truth:  While have a bronze glow to your skin is achievable via many products, for the “safest” tan, try Mary Kay Subtle Tanning lotion.  This lightweight, nongreasy formula glides on evenly for a gradual bronze glow that’s natural enough to look real. It does not contain sunscreen and does not protect against sunburn.

Myth:  I shouldn’t put sunscreen too close to my eyes.

Truth:  According to Dr. Jordana Gilman, a dermatologist in New York, 5% – 10% of skin cancers appear on the eyelids.  If the thought of putting sunscreen on the eyelids makes your eyes water, try specially formulated products for sensitive skin and after the sun, treat your damaged skin with a refreshing product like; Mary Kay Replenishing Gel .

According to Mary Kays Chief Scientific Officer, Dr. Beth Lange ;

• Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen like Mary Kay SPF 30 that blocks both UVA and UVB rays
• A good rule of thumb:  Adults should use about one ounce of sunscreen to liberally coat all exposed areas and reapply at least every two hours.
• Be wary of very high SPF’s.

 Stay tuned for next blog when Part 3 comes out next week!

You have heard the older commercials with Michael Jordan, “be like Mike”?  Well msn.com has run a series of skin care for the Stars.  In this piece they highlighted several of todays stars and their beauty tips.  One star that has always looked beautiful and natural is Halle Berrry.  in fact, according to msn,  Halle Berry has been on top-10 beauty lists since she was Miss Teen All-American in 1985. Twenty-five years later, she’s still radiant and glowing.

Her secret?  Her skin-care routine starts with an exfoliating wash (MaryKay has a tremendous one)  with triple fruit acid cleanser, followed by pure Vitamin C cream, which is said to restore skin cells (we have blogged about Replenishing Serum +C ). And she never forgets to moisturize—morning and night. Which brings us to one of the staples of a great skincare program; called Miracle Set  .

So instead of “be like Mike”, “be like Halle” and follow a program that provides the results you deserve.

Skipping Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen

The best way to keep your skin from getting wrinkled, saggy, and speckled is sunscreen, SPF 25 at the minimum. It is a great age fighting tool.  Broad-spectrum formulas (meaning they shield against both UVA and UVB rays) Like MaryKay’s Timewise day solution SPF 25 . A little goes a long way for everyday protection- If you are going to spend time by the pool or beach. Apply a about a teaspoon to your face, and the equivalent of a shot glass on your body. (Mary Kay’s SPF 30 Sunscreen for the body). For workdays, reapply before your commute home if the sun is still out—even if you’ll be in a car. And for days when you’ll be outside for an extended period of time, reapply every two hours. Face it, age fighting cleansers, age fighting skin care, age fighting moisturizers and anti aging lotions will protect your skin.  Getting into this kind of a habit will save your skin and you will be so thankful when you look in the mirror years from now.

Vegetables

Vitamin C and E are full of antioxidants and have been shown to help prevent some of the sun’s ultraviolet rays that can damage skin.  If you are a fan of sweet potatoes, you will be happy to find that according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest and the Nutrition Health Letter , sweet potatoes came out on top as the most nutritious of ALL vegetables.  But whether you like sweet potatoes or not, many vegetables provide a great resource in skin care recipe.  Eating vegetables is a skin care supplement that is easy to eat and provide many of the same benefits of the best skincare products. 

Bell peppers, tomatoes, broccoli or cauliflower are great sources of Vitamin C, while olives, spinach or asparagus are equally good sources of Vitamin E.  These are a few examples of foods that can improve your skin’s health and along with a good skincare product help aid in skin regeneration.

Fruits

According to WebMD, blackberries, blueberries, strawberries and plums are all high in their anti-oxidant content. In quoting a study done by Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry, all four fruits had the highest anti-oxidant capacity of ANY food.  Why is this good news for your skin?  Free radicals (which may be formed by sun exposure) can damage the membrane of your skin cells.  Damaged skin cells age your skin prematurely.  The anti-oxidants and other phytochemicals in these fruits, protect the cell, so there can be less damage.  The natural skincare foods are a great way to combat

 By eating healthy, and using good age fighting skin care products  you can fight skin aging and get back your youthful glow! Products that contain anti aging lotions, anti wrinkle lotions, or have a combination skin cleanser also are very helpful.

Do you want to clear up your skin by eating healthy and yummy foods?  C omplex carbs like whole grains, proteins and produce according to. Australian researchers found that a low-glycemic diet (more whole grains, protein and produce versus refined carbs such as white bread) may reduce acne . One reason why: Low-glycemic foods keep insulin steady, while refined carbs and sugar spike it. The surges may boost production of androgens, hormones that, when boosted, can cause zits. After 12 weeks of a low-glycemic diet, subjects’ pimple counts dropped 20 percent, a study in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition notes. More research is needed to support the clear-skin connection, but no M.D. will talk you out of eating whole grains and veggies!

Try to have three servings a day (one serving equals a slice of bread or 1/2 cup cooked grains).  Some great options are brown rice,  barley, and oats,  or eat foods made out of these whole grain flours. Not only are they great for your skin, but they can prevent constipation and lower blood pressure too.  Finally don’t forget a good skincare program available at Mary Kay.

Think the sun is good or bad for you.  Well you might be surprised to learn that the sun is good for you.  It helps produce much needed Vitamin D.  With the right amount of Vitamin D, studies have shown you can help lower your chances of getting cancer and heart disease by 25%.  According to Dr. Michael F. Roison, if you are going to be in the sun for longer than 15 minutes or at peak time during the day, you might want to protect your skin with an SPF25 .  Look for zinc and oxybenzoneas the main ingredients.  Also don’t forget your Vitamin D; at least 1000 iu a day.

 Taking care of your skin should be a top priority, since it’s the first thing people see, however only a percentage of the population actually research and know how to properly take care of their skin. Even some of those people who know how to take care of their skin don’t follow the proper steps to ensuring their skin looks its best.

Step 1:
Wash your face twice a day with three in one  gentle facial cleanser.  This cleanser should be one that cleanses, exfoliates and moisturizes all in one. A gentle facial cleanser that does all threeof these processes at one time, helps to keep skin looing more vibrant on a daily basis.

Step 2:
If you have acne, apply an acne fighting toner  to your skin with a q-tip to your blemishes. An acne fighting toner helps to further balance the PH in the skin.

Step 3:
Apply an oil free moisturizer with sunscreen for daily wear to prevent sun damage to your skin. The sun can damage your skin, just by getting in and out of your car through the day. You do not have to be attempting to get a tan to get skin damage, which is why it is important to wear an additional oil free moisturizer with sunscreen throughout the day.

At night an additional oil free moisturizer should be applied to your face, to help restore and heal any damage your skin has incurred throughout the day. 

Step 4:
Apply a face moisturizing lotion  twice a day to keep your skin from drying out.

If your skin dries it out during the winter winds, you should apply a special moisturizing facial mask  to restore your skin.

Using a microdermabrasion peel for your face is also a great way to keep your skin healthy. This kind of peel can be used twice a week to deeply cleanse your pores of bacteria.

Properly cleansing your face and using the right products at the right time, in the right manner will help to keep your skin looking healthy all year long. Your face is how people remember you; special attention should be done to take care of your skin, since it is the first thing people see. Have a beauty consultant to help you keep your skin healthy and balanced is a great way to ensure you look your best all year long.

Looking for tips to better take care of your skin, leaving it healthier than before? Follow the tips provided below and you will be sure to have healthier, better looking skin.

1. Dry hands this winter? Try swapping out ordinary hand lotion for a formula with SPF.  The sun’s UVA light prevents production of moisturizers in skin and is present 365 day/year; therefore the need to add a SPF to your lotion could prevent drying out of the skin.
2. Combat wrinkles with red colored fruit! Studies show that the anti-oxidants in raspberries, strawberries, cranberries and pomegranates block an enzyme that breaks down collagen, which leads to wrinkles.
3. Keep teeth white by drinking morning orange juice through a straw – a recent study shows that OJ softens tooth enamel which may make your teeth more susceptible to discoloration; you can rinse after, with a drink of water.
4. Make your joints strong with sesame seeds – 2 tablespoons supply more than 80% of your daily intake of copper, which is an anti-inflammatory that may ease arthritis pain.
5. Fight sun damage on your skin – take 2 tablespoons of sunflower seeds and supply yourself with 40% of RDA of Vitamin E, a known anti-oxidant that fights sun damage
6. Enhance a healthy heart with flaxseed – 2 tablespoons in your cereal is rich in alpha-linolenic acid that helps lower cholesterol and blood pressure.
7. Speaking of hearts – don’t overeat, this is the #1 thing you can do for your heart.  Studies show that we tend to eat almost 40% more in a group than by yourself. So be careful at the parties this season.
8. Look younger this coming year – In addition to using moisturizers to keep your skin young, blow dry hair smooth, get a manicure, and don’t forget the eye brows, shape them, it will make your eyes, pop.
9. Keep your skin young – start exercising, it gets the blood pumping which brings oxygen and nutrients to the skin.
10.  Do you have acne – not only should you use a great acne skin care product  but don’t forget to use moisturizer. If you are using prescription based acne medicine, they can dry your skin out, which may trigger inflammation.
11.  Hide lines with a facial highlighting pen – These amazing innovations contain light reflecting particles that optically smooth wrinkles.
12.  Use concealer to give skin a smooth youthful look – Why let age and nature own you, take charge and use an appropriate foundation to add the youthful look to your face.